​COMMERCY, a town of north-eastern France, capital of an arrondissement in the department of Meuse, on the left bank of the Meuse, 26 m. E. of Bar-le-Duc by rail. Pop. (1906) 5622. Commercy possesses a château of the 17th century, now used as cavalry barracks, a Benedictine convent occupied by a training-college for primary teachers, and a communal college for boys. A statue of Dom Calmet, the historian, born in the vicinity, stands ​in one of the squares. The industries include iron-working and
the manufacture of nails, boots and shoes, embroidery and
hosiery. The town has trade in cattle, grain and wood, and is well
known for its cakes (madeleines). Commercy dates back to the
9th century, and at that time its lords were dependent on the
bishop of Metz. In 1544 it was besieged by Charles V. in person.
For some time the lordship was in the hands of François Paul de
Gondi, cardinal de Retz, who lived in the town for a number of
years, and there composed his memoirs. From him it was
purchased by Charles IV., duke of Lorraine. In 1744 it became
the residence of Stanislas, king of Poland, who spent a great
deal of care on the embellishment of the town, castle and
neighbourhood.